Outreach Group

Deanery news! The next edition of the Deanery newsletter is below and includes a report on recent events and discussions, information on forthcoming events around the Deanery, clergy biographies, and more. Lent Reconciliation Service: Bishop Richard is visiting each Deanery to celebrate Reconciliation Services and will be coming to the Epsom Deanery on Tuesday 25th March, 7pm, at St Michael’s, Ashtead. In the first Epsom Deanery Newsletter last Autumn, I wrote about the initial steps we were taking in response to Bishop Richard’s Call to Mission, as we committed ourselves to putting his Pastoral Plan into effect in this area. In this issue, you can read about some of the meetings that have happened, some actions that are taking place in the coming weeks and months, and about plans that are beginning to form for the longer term; and, most importantly, about how each person can get involved.  Please view the full newsletter below:

Government coffers, welfare reform, fertility rates, 57 years on and the Assisted Dying Bill: The domestic headlines this week indicate there is not enough money in the Central Government coffers, without mention of local authorities, council tax, bin collections and the potholes in the roads! Consequently, welfare reform has been announced so that available funds can be more prudently spent. The funds are not there because of increased cost / overheads, an ageing population, creating increased demands and therefore, cost, on the NHS. Fertility rates are at the lowest levels ever, (not least of all, because of housing costs). As the fertility rates become lower the working population will become smaller, so there will be fewer tax payers and therefore even less money going into Government coffers while cost continue to rise. (Consider China’s so called ‘one child policy’, the politics may be different but the impact will be the same.) Since the Abortion Act came in to force in the 1960’s with its ‘safeguard’ of 2 medical practitioners allowing for a pregnancy to be ‘terminated’ have been eroded (Evidenced by being able to purchase the ‘morning after pill’ via the internet; one high street supplier, at least, indicating ‘for future use’ so, hardly ‘emergency’). Given the erosion of such ‘safeguards’ over 57 years in that arena, what of 57 years hence and the future with the ‘Assisted Dying Bill’? If, as has been spoken about, the judiciary is not in place to oversee that due, correct and legal process is adhered to by all concerned, but rather anonymous ‘experts’ (whose dispositions of mind and heart may not be known) and whose subjective involvement in each ‘case of assistance’ might obscure their oversight, what reassurances will there be in another 50 years that those who are regarded as a ‘burden’ or who see themselves as such, against involuntary euthanasia? If there is an ever-diminishing economic situation with ever rising costs and an on-going erosion of any sense of human dignity, the Bill cannot be seen to guarantee to provide against involuntary euthanasia some 50 years hence. Consider also, the number of high-profile cases, whereby, for whatever reasons, ‘officialdom’ has seen a catastrophic failure in the ‘duty of care’. Such high-profile cases point to the fact that a single High Court Judge, retired or otherwise, will not have the capacity to head up a commission to oversee every case of ‘assisted dying’ which is offered up by a plethora of local authorities and its team of “experts”. An article in Saturday’s ‘Telegraph’ by Ollie Corfe, quoting Liz Emerson, of the ‘Intergenerational Foundation’, helps to illustrate concerns about how economics will impact on the ‘Assisted Dying Bill’ should it become law: “Older generations’ wilful disregard for the very real economic plight experienced by younger generations may be driving these intergenerational tensions. “In the 1970s, a home could be bought with a mortgage around three times a person’s annual income. Today’s house prices demand seven times annual incomes outside London and twelve times income in the capital.” (See: The ‘uncomfortable truth’ behind wealth-hoarding boomers )

THE SEASON OF LENT:- During Lent there will be Stations of the Cross on Friday evening at 7.00 pm WE DARE TO HOPE Lent Study Group: Our Lent Study Group focuses on the virtue of Christian Hope. Looking at five episodes in the life of Jesus with beautiful reflections and prayers by a group of Dominican Sisters, everyone is welcome to attend. It will run for five weeks from Tuesday March 18th starting at 11.00am in St. Joseph’s hall. Meetings will last around 75 mins  Begins on Wednesday, 5th March, so we should be thinking and praying about what to do during this penitential season, both for our own conversion, to conform ourselves more readily to the person of Christ Jesus, but also for the conversion of the world. Perhaps rather than giving things up we should take things on! Maybe coming to weekday Mass, praying the Stations of the Cross or praying the Rosary or a decade of the Rosary as a family. Perhaps we could take on some Scriptural or spiritual reading, looking at the readings for Sunday Mass or reading about the life of a saint, perhaps after whom, we are named! We might like to commit to spiritual exercises and prayer for a particular individual, that they may return to the practice of their faith Should we be giving things up for Lent, we should not make our abstinence someone else’s penance! This means that if giving something up is going to make us miserable and unbearable for others, then we should do something else. Of course, in our modern era, we might give up 'social media', computer gaming or 'window shopping' on the internet! If we are giving things up, the money saved should be given to charity, and thereby become 'a more pleasing offering to the Lord'. Remember, Lenten self -denial is not about losing weight or improving our lung or liver function, but it is about uniting ourselves with the Passion of our Lord and making an effort to conform ourselves more fully to His person. Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence, i.e. no meat or indulgent food, simply enough for the day. There will be Stations of the Cross on Friday evening at 7.00 pm during Lent WE DARE TO HOPE Lent Study Group: Our Lent Study Group focuses on the virtue of Christian Hope. Looking at five episodes in the life of Jesus with beautiful reflections and prayers by a group of Dominican Sisters, this is a national programme published by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and everyone is welcome to attend. It will run for five weeks from Tuesday March 18th starting at 11.00am in St. Joseph’s hall. Meetings will last around 75 mins

Diocesan Pastoral Plan: PULPIT SWAP! This weekend we welcome Fr. Chris Bergin, who is to be the moderator of the new enlarged parish of what at present, is the Epsom Deanery . Doubtless Fr. Chris will be happy to talk about the pastoral plan, but do remember he is not the architect, but rather, a foreman, working on site! So be gentle with him. The ‘ad-hoc core team’ are meeting after the 10.00 Mass his weekend to consider the resources, skills and abililities parishioners have offered to share. Our thanks for the on-going work and prayer that so many have undertaken for the local Church of today and the future. Previous News No, not an architectural exchange! As a move to a sense of the larger parish and fewer clergy, next weekend, Fr. Ian will be celebrating the Masses at St. Clement’s, Ewell, while Fr. Chris Bergin, the parish moderator for Epsom, will be offering the Masses here and Fr. Alexander Lucie-Smith will be offering the Masses at St. Michael’s, Ashstead. The object of the exercise is that the clergy faces become know across what is the Epsom Deanery and the good people of God become a little more familiar to the clergy. This coming week, those who have offered to be involved in children’s liturgy will be meeting to discuss a way forward.

CAFOD Lenten Family Fast Day:- Is this coming Friday, when we are invited to live in simplicity that day and have a sense of the hunger which so many across the world experience each day. Through such fasting and abstinence, we, hopefully have a greater sense of the poverty experienced by so many. Whatever money we save on food etc that day, we are invited to contribute to the work of CAFOD the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development in a second collection next weekend.

Mass and Meet:- Please note that Mass on Friday, 7th March is at 12.00 noon followed by a light lunch in the hall, to which everyone is invited.

The Bethlehem Nativity Group is a small enterprise of Christian families in Bethlehem which endeavours to bring Holy Land gifts, particularly hand carved olive wood items, to us, here in the UK, Germany and America. They will be visiting St. Joseph’s parish NEXT WEEKEND, 22nd-23rd February, offering olive wood carvings and other artifacts for sale. Items that you may purchase will go directly to supporting the Christians of Bethlehem, now, the few guardians of the Holy City. Many thanks

Assisted Dying Bill:- Media reports suggest that the Cross Party Select Committee for the ‘Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill’ have extensively consulted with apparent witnesses or experts who favour assisted dying, having little consultation with any who might oppose the Bill. According to Alithea Williams, from SPUC, amongst the experts, an American doctor, and advocate of assisted suicide, “suggested that being a “burden” was enough reason to die. One doctor even said that it should be a "felony" for loved ones to “interfere with a patient’s right to make this choice”.” (see:-Pro-life advocates in UK say assisted suicide Bill ‘protections’ already being lowered | Crux ) When the Bill was tabled for a vote in Nov 2024, paragraph 12 of the Bill made very clear that a High Court Judge was to ensure that in each situation due diligence and the Law was to be followed and that the Law be adhered to; see section 12 (5) to (11) of the Bill at: Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Reports suggest that this judicial element, scrutiny by a High Court Judge could be lost. Many of the assurances which were initially given that the UK Law on ‘assisted dying’ would be the strictest in the world are fast eroding, which should be cause for grave concern – particularly with a view to 50 or 60 years hence and your great, great grandchildren who will be making decisions about anyone who is presently 10 to 25 years of age. If such a Bill becomes Law at this time, there is little hope for anyone in the not so distant future. To counter this culture of death and to promote a gospel of life, please support the petition from SPUC at YES to our hospices, NO to assisted suicide – SPUC (it is what it states) asking the Government to do more to support the hospice movement and the work done by everyone involved in palliative care. Again, to encourage you to write to your MP at the House of Commons, asking them to oppose the Assisted Dying Bill and to support funding etc for the hospice movement. The MP for Dorking and Horley is Chris Coughlan (Lib Dem)

Deanery news! The next edition of the Deanery newsletter is scheduled for 8th/9th March, the 1st Sunday of Lent, and will include a report on recent events and discussions, information on forthcoming events around the Deanery, clergy biographies, and more. Lent Reconciliation Service: Bishop Richard is visiting each Deanery to celebrate Reconciliation Services and will be coming to the Epsom Deanery on Tuesday 25th March, 7pm, at St Michael’s, Ashtead. At the Deanery Clergy Meeting, it was agreed that, as a sign of our working towards greater collaboration, this would replace all other Lenten Reconciliation Services. There are, of course, the regular opportunities for Reconciliation in each community, and the opportunity for Reconciliation at the Deanery Retreat Days. Holy Hour: Bishop Richard has asked that each Deanery pray for the Diocese in a monthly Holy Hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. We’ll do this on the first Friday of each month, from 5pm to 6pm, at St Michael’s, Ashtead, including the Rosary, Scripture Reflection and Benediction. All are very welcome. Pulpit swaps : although the regular relationship between people and their clergy is one to be treasured, given that the clergy will be working as one team, it seems a good idea, every now and again, to see (and get to know a little) the other priests of the Deanery. So you may notice a ‘Pulpit Swap’ coming to a community near you! (We’ll start with priests, and then later, do a ‘Deacon swap’.)